Nadine Griffin, 93, of Salina died February 14, 2025. She was born July 25, 1931, in Abilene Kansas to Frank and Pearl (Gump) Entrikin. She grew up on a farm near Abilene and was actively involved in 4-H in her youth. She continued her involvement with 4-H throughout her life. She was a proud alumnus of Chapman High School and Kansas State. She graduated with honors from K-State in 1953. She participated in the International Farm Youth exchange, spending a semester with farm families in Finland.
Nadine then accepted a fellowship with the National 4-H Foundation in Washington DC and studied at the University of Maryland. She then became a county 4-H agent in Minnesota because Kansas did not allow women to serve as county agents. There she met her husband, Jim. They moved back to the Entrikin farm where they farmed with Nadine’s parents and raised three boys. Jim Predeceased her December17, 2015
Nadine became a leader for the Holland Sunflowers. She was elected to the Board of Directors of the DS&O Rural Electric Cooperative for 21 years, served on the Board of Kansas Electric Power Cooperative for 15 years and on the Board of the National Rural Utilities Finance Corporation for 6 years. She was appointed by the governor to serve on the Kansas Wheat Commission, and she served as a director of the Kansas City Board of Trade. She took her responsibilities seriously and gained the friendship and admiration of those she worked with.
When her youngest son, Jon, was diagnosed with kidney disease in the 1970s and received a transplant, Nadine wrote and presented programs on kidney disease, dialysis, and transplants to many community groups. That led her to serve on the Health Systems Agency of Northeast Kansas. She was appointed by another governor to the Statewide Health Coordinating Council and the Health Planning Review Commission. Jon predeceased her February 12, 2023.
When Jim had retina problems that threatened his ability to continue farming, Nadine took a job as a tax preparer with H&R Block. Jim recovered, but Nadine continued preparing taxes for Block and then as a volunteer tax preparer. She also volunteered to help people select Medicare Drug plans.
Nadine was actively involved in the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian church, First United Methodist Church in Abilene and Sunrise Presbyterian Church in Salina.
She was actively involved in the farm, keeping the books, hauling grain, and handling the taxes.
She loved quilting and quilters and quilt shops. She was an active member of the End of the Trail Quilters’ Guild and served in several leadership roles, including President. She was also an active member of a smaller quilters group called the Blockheads. The bonds she formed with her quilting friends enriched her life immensely. She was an avid baker. She encouraged her boys to be involved in school activities and 4-H. She was a loyal cousin and aunt.
Nadine is survived by Jay (Jane) of Edwardsville, Ill and their children Philip and Elise and Jim (Susan) of Lenexa, Ks, and their children Jay, Julia, and Stevie.
A visitation will take place on February 24, at Sunrise Presbyterian Church beginning at 10:00 am with a service to follow at 11:00 am.
Memorials may be made to Sunrise Presbyterian Church or the Holland Sunflowers 4-H Club in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth St., Salina 67401.